Sand Trucks Defy Ban and Cross Pemedek Route in Besakih

A number of trucks transporting type C mining materials or sand are still defiantly passing through the route used by pemedek (worshippers performing rituals) during the Karya Ida Bhatara Turun Kabeh (IBTK) at Pura Agung Besakih, namely the Selat-Muncan-Rendang-Nongan-Klungkung route. However, there is Circular Letter (SE) No. 2 of 2026 from the Bali Governor. During the Karya IBTK, trucks are prohibited from passing through that route and are to be diverted to the Sidemen route. “There are still drivers who defiantly pass through; in the last three days, approximately a dozen trucks have violated it,” said the Head of Traffic Police of Karangasem Resort Police, AKP I Gusti Agung Putu Maha Putra, on Sunday (5/4/2026). The truck drivers who defiantly break through the pemedek route mostly claim they were unaware of the advisory, while others say they are transporting materials to the Rendang area and so on. The drivers, according to Agung, have been advised well in advance to use pickups for transporting materials to the Rendang area. However, they defiantly use trucks. “I have also contacted several entrepreneurs and companies to follow the advisory during this Karya IBTK. This event happens only once a year, please comply, and it only lasts 21 days,” said Agung Maha. Trucks that defiantly break through to the pemedek route are for now only given warnings by officers. There are no tickets for the time being, as they want to give humane warnings and hope for compliance. He also stated that traffic flow towards Pura Agung Besakih is still monitored as busy but smooth. There was temporary density of pemedek, but it did not cause congestion.